Protective clothing

Protective clothing for arc flash

Why workers should be protected against arc flash with protective clothing and how to comply with the IEC 61482 standard.

Professionals who do installation or maintenance work in industries like energy production or network and distribution are often well aware that they are at risk of arc flash. But factories or industrial plants often also contain heavy equipment where electronic switch boxes can cause arc flash or flashovers. How do you protect employees in the work environment with the right protective clothing?

Protecting workers against thermal hazards of an electric arc

Arc flashes are low impedance connections in an electrical system, which causes unwanted electric discharge via the air. As a result, there is a rapid rise in temperature (up to 19,000 degrees Celsius, which is almost four times as hot as the sun) and pressure in the air between electrical conductors. This causes an explosion which is known as an arc blast.

Protective clothing is a crucial part of arc flash protection to prevent flashovers (the transfer of fire) from causing injuries or life threatening situations.

What are EN IEC 61482-1-1 and EN IEC 61482-1-2?

Luckily there are standards for protection against thermal hazards of arc flash. It can be tested in two ways: the open-arc method (IEC 61482-1-1) and the Box test (IEC 61482-1-2).

• Open-arc method (IEC 61482-1-1)
  This method is often used in the USA but is becoming increasingly popular in Europe. Three panels are arranged at an angle of 120 degrees to each other. The test generates, with high voltage, an arc with varying intensity. The results are expressed in ATPV (Arc Thermal Performance Value and/or EBT (Energy Breakopen Treshold) in cal/cm². In May of 2019, a new version of IEC 61482-1-1 was published. It includes a new type of arc rating for materials called the Incident Energy Limit Value (ELIM). With ATPV/EBT, there could be a 50% probability that there is enough heat transfer to cross the Stoll Curve (ATPV), or for the material to break open and create exposure (EBT) which can result in a second degree burn. The ELIM value is more conservative. It needs to be 100% sure that all product responses remain below the Stoll Curve.
• The Box test (IEC 61482-1-2)
  The Box test (or arc-in-a-box) is a different test method which is often used in Europe. An arc is generated from one direction (the box) by short-circuiting with 4 kA (for class 1: low level of simulated arc exposure) or 7 kA (for class 2: high level of simulated arc exposure). In practice, it is often quite difficult to match your risk assessment with a class 1 or 2 of the Box test, because test results are not expressed in cal/cm².

Strive for safe and confident workers under any circumstance

Often, professionals that are at risk of arc flash work in highly challenging environments. Near traffic, in industrial plants, at high voltage cables, underground... apart from arc flash clothing, chances are that they need protective clothing for other work related hazards as well, such as high visibility clothing or garments that are fire resistant.

As a Health and Safety manager, it can feel quite daunting to be informed of all possible risks and corresponding rules and regulations.

That is why at TenCate Protective Fabrics, we encourage you to collaborate with fabric suppliers, garment makers and industrial laundries. Together with our partners we are able to develop protective fabrics that are Made for Life. Read more and find out how you can activate your role in the protective clothing value chain.

Protective clothing for welding

For many Health and Safety managers, the combination of welding activities and protective clothing is an absolute no-brainer. But are you aware of the differences between class 1 and class 2 of EN ISO 11611? And do you know what the impact is of comfort on safety?

In this page, we inform you about protective clothing for the use of welding and allied processes.

Aim for high protection and comfort

Protective clothing for welding is designed to protect wearers against molten metal splashes, but also protect against short contact with flame and radiant heat from an electric arc that is used for welding. On top of that, the clothing also minimizes the possibility of electrical shock by short-term contact with live electrical conductors at voltages up to approximately 100V (in normal welding conditions).

Apart from protection, comfort also plays a highly important role in this industry. You will probably recognize that protective clothing that is worn during welding activities is often not comfortable. However, protective clothing for welding that is both safe and comfortable has a truly positive influence on the overall effectiveness and happiness at the workplace. It is advised to take into consideration the following factors:

• Weight of the fabric: for welding class 2 fabrics (EN ISO11611:2015) the market is still dominated by 100% cotton fabrics that are very heavy in weight. Nowadays, there are other fabrics available which are lighter in weight, have less shrinkage and better colour retention.
• Moisture absorption: if breathability, sweat-uptake and release are not properly managed by the garment, employees that work in hot environments will feel wet and unpleasant in their clothing. Next to cotton, there are also cellulose-based fabrics that are designed to absorb and release sweat. Lyocell is one of those fabrics.
• Breathability: if heat can be quickly transmitted through the material, the fabric supports high breathability levels. The weight and thickness of the fabric determines the breathability. Finely woven cloth has a higher breathability than dense woven cloth, for example.
• Softness on the skin: the type of blend of fibres, construction and the finish of the cloth determines how the fabric feels on the skin.

The balance between protection and comfort is very important. Higher levels of protection often means more weight, but the garment has to remain comfortable enough. Constructions and fibre blends can make the difference.

Protective clothing for working with chemicals

If you are active in an industry where your employees work with chemicals, it is extremely important that they are shielded against chemical splash. But how do you determine which protective clothing is appropriate for your unique work environment? And how do you ensure that your protective clothing is not only safe, but also comfortable to wear during a whole shift? In this page, we tell you all about protective clothing for chemical splash.

Why protective clothing for chemicals?

Because working with chemicals puts workers at risk of accidental exposure to these chemicals, they are required to wear protective clothing at all times. This clothing should not only shield the body from possible injuries caused by chemical sprays, splashes or liquid aerosols, but should also - regarding the work environment - allow proper heat release and sweat uptake. In order for the clothing to be truly protective, it should always be worn in the proper manner no matter the environment, emphasizing the importance of comfort even more.

The type of protective fabric you select determines, for example, the weight and moisture absorption. And in order to know which protective clothing you need, it is crucial to be aware of safety rules and regulations you should comply with.

What is EN 13034?

Suit type properties like this are divided in six types:

1. Gas tight clothing 
2. Not gas tight clothing
3. Clothing that protects against fluids
4. Clothing that protects against spray
5. Particle protection
6. Limited protection against spray

The Type 6 property is regulated in EN 13034.

Protective clothing that complies with the current EN 13034 standard offers protection against light spray, liquid aerosols or low pressure, low volume splashes, against which a complete liquid permeation barrier (at the molecular level) is not required. The document covers both Type 6 chemical protective suits and partial body protection (Type PB). To comply with the EN 13034 standard for Type 6 protective clothing, a series of tests is conducted on the fabric and on a model (mannequin).

The meaning of ‘limited performance chemical protection clothing’

Terms like ‘limited protection’ often causes confusion. We are, after all, talking about chemicals! On top of that, Type 6 Protective clothing that complies with the EN 13034 standard is not fully liquid-tight. This might raise some questions as well. It is very important to understand that workers in this industry are being exposed to chemicals by exception (by accident), not by rule! You can look at EN 13034 as an “entry-level” standard for protection against chemical spray, splash or aerosols. But does this type of protective clothing match your unique work environment.

Determine if EN 13034 is the right protective clothing standard for you

Your company has a general duty to ensure the safety and health of workers in every aspect related to work. By conducting a risk assessment, the employer is able to create insights in possible work related threats and take effective measures in regards to chemical safety clothing. The risk assessment might also expose other risks, like heat, flames or electric arc, that your workers need protection against.

Be sure to maintain the protective properties of the garment during its entire lifetime

As mentioned before, the Type 6 safety clothing for chemicals is not fully liquid-tight. The standard requires a fluorocarbon finish of fabrics every single washing, allowing it to repel light liquids or aerosols. This example strongly emphasises the importance of a close harmony between all parties involved in the protective clothing value chain.

That is why at TenCate Protective Fabrics, we encourage you to collaborate with fabric suppliers, garment makers and industrial laundries. Together with our partners we are able to develop protective fabrics that are Made for Life. Read more and find out how you can activate your role in the protective clothing value chain.

Flame retardant clothing

In a wide range of industries, professionals can encounter risks of heat and flames in their daily jobs. Every work environment is different, which adds up to the complexity of selecting the right protective clothing.

In this page, we inform you about flame retarding clothing and the corresponding EN ISO 11612 standard.

What is flame retardant clothing?

Flame retardant clothing is protective clothing which is either made with FR treated fabrics based on cotton, or clothing that is manufactured with FR inherent fabrics - read more about the difference between FR treated and inherent FR here. 

It is meant for workers who are in need of clothing with limited flame spread properties, and where the user can be exposed to radiant or convective or contact heat, or to molten metal splashes.

In order to determine which protective clothing suits your unique work environment best, you have to know the possible risks of your unique work environment. After all, there are a lot of variables that are important while making sure that your workers are protected at all times. Building and maintaining a strong safety culture is crucial, especially in environments with fire and/or heat hazards.

A risk assessment helps you to determine the possible risks and the standards your employees’ protective clothing should comply with.

High Visibility Clothing

From heavy equipment handling to traffic control, and from railroad works to electrical maintenance - no matter the industry in which you are active, you want your workers to feel safe and confident at work. During the day, at dusk and at night, inside the factory or outside in any weather condition. In this page, we inform you about the role high visibility clothing should play in selecting the best protective clothing for your organization.

What is high visibility clothing?

High visibility clothing can be defined as ‘clothing that is capable of visually signalling the user's presence’. Wearing high visibility clothing is a requirement in a large range of industries where it is crucial to easily notice workers in any light condition: during the day, but also under illumination of headlights in the dark. Think of hazardous work environments with vehicle operation or mechanized equipment, fog/steam, dust/smoke, limited sightlines and more.

Types of reflective clothing material

High visibility workwear typically consists of three types of reflective clothing materials, being fluorescent material, reflective strips and contrast material. Contrast material is darker but is less sensitive to dirt compared to the fluorescent material and reflective bands, which prevents the garment from losing its functionality even when workers are exposed to dust or dirt (which typically builds up around their ankles, knees, sleeves and abdomen).

FR flame resistant and non flame resistant fabrics for high visibility clothing

Depending on the industry you work in, professionals might also be in need of protective clothing where the fabric contains FR properties. During your search for protective clothing, bear in mind that work hazards like heat, flames, molten metals, radiant heat and electric arc ask for high visibility clothing with FR properties. In this blog we explain what the difference between FR Treated and Inherent FR fabrics are.

There are multiple other industries, like roadwork or certain activities in construction, where non flame resistant high visibility clothing is sufficient in covering work related risks. A risk assessment should help you discover which possible hazards are present in your work environment, helping you select high visibility clothing that meets all requirements.

What is EN ISO 20471?

EN ISO 20471, or ‘ISO 20471:2013’ is the current international standard for high visibility clothing. It was released in 2013, replacing EN 471:2003 A1:2007. The standard is designed to make high visibility an indispensable factor in guarding the safety of professionals during work.

EN ISO 20471 class 1, 2 and 3

EN ISO 20471 can be categorized into three classes, providing high visibility in accordance to the risk zone you work in and the ability of the garment to protect the employee.

• Class 1: suitable for lower-risk areas, where 0,10 m² retroreflective material and 0,14 m² background material is sufficient to signal the wearer’s presence. For combined performance material, 0,20 m² visible material is required.
  
• Class 2: the bearer of this certificate should purchase clothing where 0,13 m² of retroreflective material and 0,50 m² of background material is visible.
  
• Class 3: in areas with high risk, professionals should wear high visibility clothing: 0,20 m² of retroreflective material and 0,80 m² of background material should be visible.
  

EN ISO 20471 also sets requirements for the specific placement of the fluorescent and reflective materials. A garment is allowed to be manufactured in the colors yellow, orange or red. In addition, the EN ISO 20471 requires the color coordinates and illumination factors to fall between certain limits.

Anti Static Clothing

You want to provide your workforce with the highest level of safety and comfort possible, no matter the work environment. Industries like chemicals, oil and gas, utilities and transportation (of hazardous substances) are exposed to unique safety challenges, of which explosion hazard is just one. In this page, we explain the importance of protective clothing that is able to prevent electrostatic charging, called anti static clothing.

Anti static clothing: a must for (nearly) all industrial work environments

Protective clothing that contains electrostatic properties are - as part of a total earthed system - able to suppress static charge (created by friction or rubbing). In other words: the garment is able to conduct electricity.

Anti static workwear refers to clothing where a carbon fibre is weaved through the fabric. Without it, static discharge can create sparks, which can result in fires or explosions. Needless to say, anti static clothing is indispensable for every employer that wants to guarantee a work environment where employees feel safe and confident.

Anti static clothing incorporated in FR fabrics

Anti static clothing is always worn in explosion-hazard environments. And if there is a risk of explosion, there is also a risk of fire. Therefore all protective clothing with FR fabrics is also manufactured with electrostatic properties.

What is the EN 1149-5 anti-static clothing standard?

EN 1149-5 or ‘NEN-EN 1149-5:2018’ is a anti static clothing standard that sets requirements for the material performance and design requirements of protective clothing with electrostatic properties. Combined with hoods and caps, the anti static clothing forms a total earthed system. The scope of the standard does not include footwear or gloves with electrostatic dissipative properties, as they are not part of the garment itself. It is also not applicable for protection against mains voltages. Important note: anti static clothing standards should not be confused with the standard for electrostatic discharge (ESD).

EN 1149-5 and the ATEX directive

Anti static clothing that complies with the EN 1149-5 standard is often used by companies that have to comply with the ATEX directive 2014/34/EU, which covers equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

EN 1149-5: part of a larger system

The anti static clothing standard is part of a larger system. The fabric from which the anti static clothing is made should be EN 1149-1, EN 1149-2 or EN 1149-3 compliant.

• EN 1149-1, or ‘part 1’ of the standard specifies a test method for materials intended to be used in the manufacturing of electrostatic dissipative protective clothing (or gloves) to avoid incendiary discharge.
  
• EN 1149-2 specifies a test method for measuring the electrical vertical resistance of protective clothing materials.
  
• EN 1149-3 specifies methods for measuring the dissipation of electrostatic charge from the surface of materials for garments. The test methods are applicable to all materials, including homogeneous materials and inhomogeneous materials with surface conducting fibres and core conducting fibres.

As mentioned before: where there is risk of explosion, there is risk of fire. Therefore, anti static clothing that complies with EN 1149-5 should always be combined with the standard for flame retardant clothing EN ISO 11612 (which has replaced EN531).

Let protective clothing experts help you find a solution your employer needs, and your employees want

Finding a protective clothing solution that perfectly matches your work environment forces you to go on a complex, but crucial journey. As a Health and Safety manager every 3 to 5 years, you are confronted with the need for new protective clothing. It might feel like finding a needle in a haystack.

A risk assessment can help you surface possible hazards in the workplace and understand certain rules and regulations to comply with. But selecting the right fabrics for protective clothing is just the beginning.

That is why at TenCate Protective Fabrics, we encourage you to collaborate with fabric suppliers, garment makers and industrial laundries. Together with our partners we are able to develop protective fabrics that are Made for Life. Read more and find out how you can activate your role in the protective clothing value chain.